Damping Valve Malfunction
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 697
Likes: 172
From: Seattle, WA
2019 M5 Comp, 2005 Ariel Atom 2
Damping Valve Malfunction
Getting a code in the airmatic/suspension control unit: C153113 'The right front damping valve has a malfunction, open circuit'.
No error codes on the dash, CEL or suspension related, but I scanned this (using iCarsoft MBII) because intermittently the suspension mode locks itself in Sport 1 and you can't go to Comfort or Sport 2. It did it on and off for a week, then was fine for a few weeks, and acted up again this morning.
I understand Sport 1 is the default for the rear air bags height-wise, but the 'right front' notation threw me off thinking maybe the issue is with the front strut and not the rear. Anyone run into similar problems, ideas on what I should/can check next without having STAR?
I actually keep it in Sport 1 most of the time anyway (so it could have been acting up more than I knew) but my wife who's 8 months pregnant and massively uncomfortable definitely notices when it's not in Comfort
No error codes on the dash, CEL or suspension related, but I scanned this (using iCarsoft MBII) because intermittently the suspension mode locks itself in Sport 1 and you can't go to Comfort or Sport 2. It did it on and off for a week, then was fine for a few weeks, and acted up again this morning.
I understand Sport 1 is the default for the rear air bags height-wise, but the 'right front' notation threw me off thinking maybe the issue is with the front strut and not the rear. Anyone run into similar problems, ideas on what I should/can check next without having STAR?
I actually keep it in Sport 1 most of the time anyway (so it could have been acting up more than I knew) but my wife who's 8 months pregnant and massively uncomfortable definitely notices when it's not in Comfort
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 697
Likes: 172
From: Seattle, WA
2019 M5 Comp, 2005 Ariel Atom 2
Anyone? Now that I'm checking it more often I can say that it's locking me in Sport 1 about 20% of the time I drive. So 1-2 days a week it will act up, still no dash warnings etc.
As far as I know it's never switched back to normal during a drive, only after the car's been shut off and back on again later. So maybe it's the rear suspension not meeting some parameter when it releases air after you park it?
As far as I know it's never switched back to normal during a drive, only after the car's been shut off and back on again later. So maybe it's the rear suspension not meeting some parameter when it releases air after you park it?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 1,574
From: Canada
2023 E63S Wagon
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...34800-9999.pdf
Complaint: AIRMATIC fault message in instrument cluster. Various fault codes in quick test possible, see listing of fault codes.
Cause: Electrical malfunction of the damping valves in the left or right shock absorber on the front or rear axle due to:
- Corrosion in the plug on the ADS module or in the control unit.
- Short circuit to ground or positive in the electrical actuation line of the ADS module
- Internal fault in the damping valves
Remedy:
1. Check the connector for corrosion, repair if necessary. Check the electrical line for short circuit to ground or positive, repair if necessary.
2. If the connectors and electrical lines are OK, replace the affected suspension strut.
Complaint: AIRMATIC fault message in instrument cluster. Various fault codes in quick test possible, see listing of fault codes.
Cause: Electrical malfunction of the damping valves in the left or right shock absorber on the front or rear axle due to:
- Corrosion in the plug on the ADS module or in the control unit.
- Short circuit to ground or positive in the electrical actuation line of the ADS module
- Internal fault in the damping valves
Remedy:
1. Check the connector for corrosion, repair if necessary. Check the electrical line for short circuit to ground or positive, repair if necessary.
2. If the connectors and electrical lines are OK, replace the affected suspension strut.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 697
Likes: 172
From: Seattle, WA
2019 M5 Comp, 2005 Ariel Atom 2
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...34800-9999.pdf
Complaint: AIRMATIC fault message in instrument cluster. Various fault codes in quick test possible, see listing of fault codes.
Cause: Electrical malfunction of the damping valves in the left or right shock absorber on the front or rear axle due to:
- Corrosion in the plug on the ADS module or in the control unit.
- Short circuit to ground or positive in the electrical actuation line of the ADS module
- Internal fault in the damping valves
Remedy:
1. Check the connector for corrosion, repair if necessary. Check the electrical line for short circuit to ground or positive, repair if necessary.
2. If the connectors and electrical lines are OK, replace the affected suspension strut.
Complaint: AIRMATIC fault message in instrument cluster. Various fault codes in quick test possible, see listing of fault codes.
Cause: Electrical malfunction of the damping valves in the left or right shock absorber on the front or rear axle due to:
- Corrosion in the plug on the ADS module or in the control unit.
- Short circuit to ground or positive in the electrical actuation line of the ADS module
- Internal fault in the damping valves
Remedy:
1. Check the connector for corrosion, repair if necessary. Check the electrical line for short circuit to ground or positive, repair if necessary.
2. If the connectors and electrical lines are OK, replace the affected suspension strut.
I need to do my cross struts soon anyway so I'll get her on the lift and see what I find and report back!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 14
2014 E63S
Purely speculation here, but it seems like this could be related to internal damping valves in the strut. I don't know the internal workings of our struts, but it seems reasonable that a set of damping valves would provide the adjustable firmness. That would also explain it showing the error for a corner without airmatic.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Mercedes C400 W205 2015
Getting a code in the airmatic/suspension control unit: C153113 'The right front damping valve has a malfunction, open circuit'.
No error codes on the dash, CEL or suspension related, but I scanned this (using iCarsoft MBII) because intermittently the suspension mode locks itself in Sport 1 and you can't go to Comfort or Sport 2. It did it on and off for a week, then was fine for a few weeks, and acted up again this morning.
I understand Sport 1 is the default for the rear air bags height-wise, but the 'right front' notation threw me off thinking maybe the issue is with the front strut and not the rear. Anyone run into similar problems, ideas on what I should/can check next without having STAR?
I actually keep it in Sport 1 most of the time anyway (so it could have been acting up more than I knew) but my wife who's 8 months pregnant and massively uncomfortable definitely notices when it's not in Comfort
No error codes on the dash, CEL or suspension related, but I scanned this (using iCarsoft MBII) because intermittently the suspension mode locks itself in Sport 1 and you can't go to Comfort or Sport 2. It did it on and off for a week, then was fine for a few weeks, and acted up again this morning.
I understand Sport 1 is the default for the rear air bags height-wise, but the 'right front' notation threw me off thinking maybe the issue is with the front strut and not the rear. Anyone run into similar problems, ideas on what I should/can check next without having STAR?
I actually keep it in Sport 1 most of the time anyway (so it could have been acting up more than I knew) but my wife who's 8 months pregnant and massively uncomfortable definitely notices when it's not in Comfort
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 697
Likes: 172
From: Seattle, WA
2019 M5 Comp, 2005 Ariel Atom 2
I changed the sensor on top of the strut. If those ever get bumped they can go bad, or in my case I think I set tools on top of them too many times. If you want to confirm before buying a new one just swap left and right (I believe they are the same part #) and see if the code moves to the other side.
